Daigotsu Thrakhath
Spider Clan
Through strength, I gain power. Through power, I gain victory. Through victory, my chains are broken
Posts: 600
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Post by Daigotsu Thrakhath on Feb 8, 2011 14:16:55 GMT -5
Thrakhath shook his head at the Chuda's question. "I have no specific orders for you, Chuda-sama; as ever you are given leave to operate as you see fit," he said. "I would suggest, however, that if you do retire from the battlefield you should make for the Fingers. It's an easier journey than the Marsh, and with most of the Unicorn forces diverted to Mountain Watch you should be able to cross the plain relatively safely."
He leaned forward a bit, and added a predatory smile to that unnerving look of his. "I admit, however, that I hope you choose to stay for the moment," he said, a bit more quietly than before. "I have a mind to test myself against these gaijin barbarians, and to see your army in action up close."
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Post by Shoju on Feb 8, 2011 15:25:50 GMT -5
Oronkohiro grinned slightly at Thrakhath's statement.
"If we do not have any more pressing matters to engage in, I'm inclined to stay as well. Do we have any information on the proposed path the army is going to advance from? I have a small scouting party led by the former Toritaka Tinishi that can keep us a half day ahead of most normal military movements. I would expect that, an army of this magnitude will not be as quick, giving us more time."
Oronkohiro realizes that he is still holding the tea cup.
"Some trivial actions I find are hard to relinquish a grip on. I hunger and thirst no longer, but I do find myself indulging such acts to be a terrible habit to break. It is made doubly hard by the condition I find myself in these days."
Oronkohiro places the tea cup down, and calls for Minturo to enter. Minturo enters and kneels as Oronkohiro begins speaking.
"Thrakath-sama, I would like Minturo here for our preparations. He will be relaying any orders to the scouts we send out. I would like our next assault to begin as soon after daybreak as possible."
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Daigotsu Thrakhath
Spider Clan
Through strength, I gain power. Through power, I gain victory. Through victory, my chains are broken
Posts: 600
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Post by Daigotsu Thrakhath on Feb 9, 2011 13:46:01 GMT -5
"I'm sure your scouts are very capable, Chuda-san," Thrakhath replied, nodding toward the kneeling form of Minturo as the only means of acknowledging his presence. "Personally, I have heard very little about the yobanjin advance aside from the usual rumors and fears." He stood and beckoned for the shugenja to follow him, and the three men made their way to another table where Thrakhath produced a map and spread it across the table's surface.
"We do, however, have a good idea where the Empire will be deploying its forces," he said, pointing out several areas around the camp. "Despite the fact that these barbarians are the primary threat, I think it best to continue to engage the enemy away from Imperial forces; such a confrontation would be a needless distraction." He pointed out an area of the map away from the keep and its defenders. "We know the Yobanjin are assembled somewhere in this general area,, but for more details we will have to rely on your scouts." He regarded the Chuda with a probing expression. "I trust measures have been taken to keep them from discovering this little camp away from the keep?"
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Post by Shoju on Feb 9, 2011 14:54:16 GMT -5
"The utmost importance has been placed on keeping our presence as masked as possible. Even with the Bakemono revelry, our Shugenja have worked to make us less noticeable."
Oronkohiro studied the map for a moment, brow furrowed, and then spoke.
"With the Empire moving in positions that would encircle us, I believe that our best point of operations will be here. Even with measures taken to hide our presence, I would rather not keep to a position that would leave us an easy target"
Oronkohiro points to the northwest corner, a mountainous outcropping between the lands of the Badger and the Northern Steppes.
"This places us in a more advantageous situation should a need for a retreat arise. We will then only have the lands of the Badger between us and the fingers of Bone. We can have everything moved there in short order. Also, this will keep us engaging the Yobanjin at an angle from the imperial legions, keeping them in our view, but out of their way. "
Oronkohiro looks at the map again, and points to a pass in the Steppes
"When I traveled to their encampments, this seemed to be the main road used by the gaijin to travel to and from their camp. We can scout the base of the Steppes, up to their camps in the morning, while camp is moved. With new recon on their position, we will be ready to make an advancement on them quickly."
Movement caught Oronkohiro's eye. Something moved close to the outside of the tent, cutting on front of the glow from the Bakemono's Pyre.
"It seems that we have a visitor"
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Daigotsu Thrakhath
Spider Clan
Through strength, I gain power. Through power, I gain victory. Through victory, my chains are broken
Posts: 600
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Post by Daigotsu Thrakhath on Feb 9, 2011 15:07:42 GMT -5
Thrakhath nodded in agreement as Oronkohiro laid out his plan, and would have said something if not for the movement caught in the corner of his eye. "Are you expecting someone?" Thrakhath said casually in response to his comment, though his sword hand went instinctively to the hilt of his scimitar.
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Post by Shoju on Feb 9, 2011 16:25:42 GMT -5
"No. And even if I was, I told no one I was going to be anywhere but in my tent."
Oronkohiro removed his tanto a vial of blood from the folds of his kimono. Minturo unsheathed his Katana and moved just to the left of Oronkohiro.
(OOC) There was someone who wanted to join in, this would be a good spot for them to do so, If they don't jump in, I will move to a different path, and they can jump in during the upcoming carnage.
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Post by Shoju on Feb 11, 2011 9:55:49 GMT -5
(OOC) It seems that they won't be joining us.
(IC) Oronkohiro cleared his mind, and reached out to the air around him. In it, he could hear the sounds of small skirmishes being fought around the camp.
"Ambush!"
Minturo lept to the side of the tent, slicing through it wide with his katana and grabbing the figure. The entrance to the tent exploded in a gulf of flames, and arrows began slicing through the back side of the tent.
Oronkohiro Saw two Figured leap through the flames at the entrance to the tent. He stepped sideways, and slashed the arms of the figure and simply stated
"Burn"
And the blood now coming down his arm caught fire, and quickly engulfed the figure.
The other Figure quickly lept towards Thrakhath. As Oronkohiro studied the figures, he realized that they were indeed Yobanjin.
How did they infiltrate the camp!? The camp had been well fortified. Maybe these Yobanjin were worthy to die.
As Thrakhath prepared to engage his attacker, Oronkohiro used the blood of the vial to imbue his brother with the rage of Jigoku itself.
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Daigotsu Thrakhath
Spider Clan
Through strength, I gain power. Through power, I gain victory. Through victory, my chains are broken
Posts: 600
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Post by Daigotsu Thrakhath on Feb 14, 2011 10:35:49 GMT -5
Thrakhath's scimitar cut through the yobanjin as if the man weren't even there, spraying his life's blood across the wall of the tent. Muttering a spell of his own to augment the one Oronkohiro had cast on him, Thrakhath charged with inhuman speed out of the tent to survey the situation. As he expected, the goblins had been caught completely off-guard and were fleeing the scene in a disorganized mess, yobanjin cutting them down as they fled. "Oronkohiro! Command your troops!" he yelled before leaping into the thick of the insanity, roaring challenges as his blade cut through flesh and armor alike, hoping to demoralize the barbarians enough for the goblins to rally.
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Post by Shoju on Feb 14, 2011 11:06:03 GMT -5
As Oronkohiro saw the mess the surprise attack had made of his Camp, He sent Minturo towards the Maho Tsukai tents and told them kill the yobanjin in preparations for reanimations.
With no reinforcements on the way, The Yobanjin attack on the camp would be all the reinforcements they needed.
Oronkohiro Marched towards the tent of the Goblin Warmonger Skoul.
Skoul. Organize these goblins NOW. They are to kill the invaders, but DO NOT desecrate them. They will be our legions by the time this is over.
As Oronkohiro turned away. A Yobanjin swung his Scimitar towards him. Oronkohiro shot a hand out, and seemed to pick the yobanjin up with the air itself. He held him there for a momnent.
Skoul was yelling at the goblins who were slowly stopping the retreat and turning around to fight. Many Goblins had rallied around Thrakhath, and were fighting.
Oronkohiro turned his attention back to the yobanjin suspended in the air. He grabbed a torch from nearby and held it to the yobanjin until he was fully ablaze. Oronkohiro then hurled him like a ragdoll into an approaching group of Yobanjin.
Minturo and the Maho Legions were now making a visible path through the Yobanjin towards Oronkohiro. He turned and began a spell. Little by little the surprise attack was being repelled.
Oronkohiro ran and jumped. The Air Kami he tortured suspended him in air, while he worked his vile maho and soon the sky opened up and the rain began to fall. The Maho Tsukai legion had made it to him, and the rain turned to blood. As more Maho Tsukai joined the ritual, The Yobanjin began to scream in agony. The Goblins and Minturo began cutting down those who were screaming.
Then, everything went dark, and Oronkohiro began falling. Something in his chest was BURNING. As he landed on the ground Oronkohiro looked down, and where his heart should have been, was now a yobanjin arrow.
Continue the ritual! Do not stop!
Oronkohiro stood, and started walking towards where the Archer stood that had felled him. He was clearly rattled by Oronkohiro's advancement. As he passed a fallen Yobanjin, Oronkohiro Plucked the Katana from his corpse, and began chanting. The Archer readied another arrow, and fired. This one hit just to the right of the first, and Oronkohiro didn't stop.
Marshalling his Bushi training from before his first death, Oronkohiro reached the Yobanjin archer, and with perfect precision, plunged the Katana through his heart.
You fought valiantly. Now, you will fight Eternally.
The Yobanjin slumped forward, and Oronkohiro wrestled the katana free. He rolled the Yobanjin onto his back, and painted a Kanji on his forehead in blood. Within moments, the Yobanjin archer was beside him, and they began advancing towards a fire that had begun to burn near his tent.
Oronkohiro cursed. That was HIS tent, and in it, was the Yobanjin leaders body. Now, it was fully engulfed in flames. Oronkohiro turned to survey the battle.
It was slowly turning in the Spider's Favor. The goblins were rallied behind Minturo, and several fearsome bushi that could only be Thrakhath's Personal Retinue.
The Maho Tsukai ritual was still raining blood, and many Yobanjin were succumbing to it. Others waged war under it. They would need to be dealt with.
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Daigotsu Thrakhath
Spider Clan
Through strength, I gain power. Through power, I gain victory. Through victory, my chains are broken
Posts: 600
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Post by Daigotsu Thrakhath on Feb 14, 2011 12:24:21 GMT -5
Blood rain. Nice touch.
Thrakhath cut down another yobanjin and went in search of another target, only to find that he was now surrounded by allies rather than enemies. A horrific cacophony of tortured screams and goblin howls tore through the air as the yobanjin were thrown back, and Thrakhath simply closed his eyes and listened. Thrakhath wasn't the sort to inflict unnecessary pain, but that didn't mean he didn't like to indulge himself on occasion, and this battle was music to his ears.
He only allowed himself a moment, however, before his eyes snapped open and he began barking orders to the warriors around him. His retinue formed up expertly in response to his commands, the goblins... while they weren't the best at following orders, they were certainly enthusiastic, and right now that was enough. Thrakhath dove back into the fray and fought alongside his bodyguard. It wasn't long before the yobanjin were in full retreat.
Thrakhath held up his sword and examined the gore-covered weapon, frowning as blood continued to spatter the blade of the weapon from the sky. Cleaning you isn't going to be fun, he thought unhappily. He lowered his weapon and surveyed the damage around him. Wounded men were still moaning around him, a sound that Thrakhath knew would cease or simply become terrified screaming, depending on which bloodspeakers found them first. Goblins capered happily through the carnage, hacking at bodies or simply dancing in the macabre rain. Thrakhath began moving slowly through the gruesome scene, whacking several bakemono on the head with the flat of his blade to keep them from gnawing on the bodies of the yobanjin that were still mostly intact.
Eventually he found Oronkohiro, directing several maho-tsukai in their re-animation of the yobanjin still suitable for fighting. As much as he wanted to physically assault the man, he chose restraint for now. "Chuda-san," he said, "moments ago you assured me that your initiates had taken steps to insure that this camp was concealed." His tone was that of a disappointed adult speaking to a child that had just lied to him. He swept his arm across the shredded tents and dead warriors scattered throughout what remained of the camp. "Care to explain?" His retinue stood behind him, their bodies visibly tense in case they had to jump to their master's defense.
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Post by Shoju on Feb 14, 2011 13:18:18 GMT -5
Oronkohiro bowed deeply at Thrakhath's words. His tone struck a chord, and Oronkohiro was downtrodden.
"I am at a loss for words Thrakhath-san. What I have gathered from what happened is that they were here in search of their fallen commander. My familiarity with Yobanjin magic is limited, but I would venture to say that they were able to somehow find the body from this."
Oronkohiro watched as the latest Yobanjin infantrymen rose from the ground, and turned his full attention to Thrakhath.
"As the fighting progressed, it appeared that their target all along was his body. Of all the damage they inflicted, only my quarters were fully engulfed and destroyed purposely. It is clear that there was a failure to secure the camp. I take full responsibility for the actions of those underneath me. Their failure in turn is my failure"
At that point, a bushi approached and kneeled
"Chuda-san. We have surveyed the remains of your tent, and have concluded that the body of the Yobanjin is gone."
Oronkohiro tilted his jingasa back. His eyes were glowling a vibrant yellow visible even in the darkness of night.
"GONE!? Find Tinishi. He and his scouts are to track those who took the body. Do not engage. I want to know what they are doing, and where they are going."
Oronkohiro adjusted his Jingasa, back down, and the Bushi hurried off. He turned back to Thrakhath and stood tall.
"I think it best if we plan to leave this camp as soon as possible. Even if we redouble our efforts, this is a compromised position. Perhaps moving northeast and settling into the base of the mountains near the Badger would be prudent."
Oronkohiro looked down at the arrows still butting out of his chest. This was the first time since his first death that he had injuries so pronounced. He thought of ripping the arrows out, but thought better of it. He knew not how the body of a Khadi healed, and would rather take care to ensure it didn't take longer than required.
"Once my tsukai have finished, I am prepared to face judgement for my failures here."
Oronkohiro bowed to Thrakhath, and turned back to the Tsukai working on the next body.
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Daigotsu Thrakhath
Spider Clan
Through strength, I gain power. Through power, I gain victory. Through victory, my chains are broken
Posts: 600
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Post by Daigotsu Thrakhath on Feb 14, 2011 13:35:39 GMT -5
Thrakhath stood with arms folded, watching Oronkohiro intently as he made his speech. He didn't move as the scout arrived and made his report, though his eyes did glance to the newcomer momentarily. "Your inexperience with Yobanjin magic can be excuse, Chuda-san," he said when the man had finished, "and I think you're suggestion that we relocate the camp is a prudent one." He took a step toward the shugenja and placed a hand on his scimitar, though he made no other threatening move. "Let this be a lesson to you, maho-tsukai," he said fiercely. "Hubris is a weakness to which far too many of us have succumbed." He leaned a bit closer and glared. "No matter how strong you become or how much power you gain," he made a point to briefly look at the arrows protruding from Oronkohiro's chest, "never assume that you are invincible."
With that, Thrakhath withdrew his hand from his weapon and took a step back. "Now then, we have work to do," he said. "Finish up with these bodies quickly Chuda-san, and I will see if I can persuade our bakemono friends to help dismantle the camp." With that he signaled his guards to follow him, and left to find the biggest goblin he could.
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Post by Shoju on Feb 14, 2011 15:57:43 GMT -5
Oronkohiro was deep in thought. His mood had soured since Thrakhath had departed to start the preparations to move camp. This was supposed to be a victorious evening. His Legion had crushed the yobanjin in full combat today, but something happened tonight, and the victory was now tainted. Something happened. Someone failed, and Someone was going to pay.
Minturo arrived as the last of the Yobanjin were being marshalled into ranks.
"What are our losses Minturo-sama?" Oronkohiro posed the question without turning around.
"We lost just over a dozen Maho Tsukai, approximately 50 bakemono are dead or missing, and we lost a dozen or so bushi. This is of course, after raising any suitable casualties"
50 bakemono. Oronkohiro assumed most of those had run off in fear before they could be rallied.
"How fares the new recruits Chuda-san?" Minturo was surveying the new undead.
"We have approximately 60 that are suitable for combat. Some of them will do well, especially this one." Oronkohiro pointed to the Archer who had shot him. Twice. "I want him to lead our archers. His aim is true, and his devotion will be unwavering."
Minturo looked at the archer. The wound from the katana stood gaping, and Minturo knew the Kanji on his head well. "You should have those arrows removed Chuda-sama".
"I will remove them myself, and later. Right now, We need to get the legion moved. We are headed Northeast. Towards where the Northern Steppes meet the Badger lands. We will make a fortified position there. Tell me Minturo-sama. How did this happen?"
Oronkohiro voice was uncharacteristically wavering.
"It appears that the Yobanjin were able to subdue guards on the eastern side away from the Bakemono pyre and infiltrate the camp quickly. I believe that the Maho-Tsukai charged with the camps defenses on that side failed to shed enough blood for it, and the defenses did not hold."
"Is the Tsukai amongst the living?" Oronkohiro asked, picking up the Katana he had used to fell the Yobanjin archer and flicking the gore from it.
"No longer. I used him as an example to the others of what failure means" Minturo eyed the Katana "Are you planning to carry a Daisho again Chuda-sama?" Minturo's voice was uneasy at the question.
"No Minturo-sama, But I might yet have use for this blade."
Oronkohiro started to walk, Minturo fell in at his side. "We are moving within the hour. I don't want another surprise coming while we regroup. When we leave, I will personally set what is left of this camp ablaze with a fire that will leave nothing but dust. This will also draw attention away from our advancement."
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Post by Shoju on Feb 15, 2011 9:26:10 GMT -5
With the camp emptied, and the new undead in the mix, The time was right to move.
As they prepared to move out, Tinishi returned from his scouting trip
"Chuda-san. The Yobanjin have returned to their camp in The Northern Steppes with the body in tow. It appears that the Yobanjin are on the move as well. They are falling back to Shiro Ichiro."
Tinishi bowed low.
"Thank you Tinishi-san. Your information is most valuable. We move now from this compromised position northeast. If you will excuse me, I have a few matters to attend to before we depart"
Oronkohiro turned and left. He walked off to the side of where the legion was, and faced off to the east. The sun would be rising soon. They would need cover while they traveled during the day.
Oronkohiro put his hand to the first arrow in his chest. He gently tugged and found that the arrow came away clean. The second arrow came with a little more force, but finally it was free as well. With the arrows removed from him chest, he turned to find Minturo standing behind him.
"The Tsukai are preparing to cover our advancement with storm. I ride with you Chuda-san. When you are ready, we will depart".
Oronkohiro nodded. With that. Minturo signaled, and the legion began to march. "Minturo, fetch our steeds. I will begin the ritual."
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